solar update

[Jebby14]

for all interested the cheapy (150 Canadian bucks) 100 watt solar setup I got a while back did exactly as advertised and kept my house battery topped up for its long weekend test run. was still plenty strong when it was time to leave with running the water pump, co detector and fridge controller as well as minimal lights while there and the tongue jack to leave.

don't have to spend a fortune. will I boondock forever with this no.
did it extend my range significantly. yup and it cost me next to nothing. I may grab another if they are still there next time I am.

[westend]

Thanks for the update. Solar and RVing are like peanut butter and jelly. They just are made for each other. One big benefit if you have a charge controller that will float charge, is that your batteries will always be charged when you decide to move from the storage location.

[Jebby14]

ependydad wrote:

Jebby14 wrote:
strange, the forum is saying 3 replies but I see none. testing to reset.

This happens to me often. This forum software is on its last legs. Someone is going to need to invest in a big upgrade unless they dump all of the historical posts and start fresh (which would be crazy).

I can see them now. strange things from the 1's and 0's department

[Boon_Docker]

185EZ wrote:
I was hoping for more technical replies to solar instead of forum software

Grab yourself a 200 watt system such as this and you will be good to go.

[185EZ]

I was hoping for more technical replies to solar instead of forum software

[ependydad]

Jebby14 wrote:
strange, the forum is saying 3 replies but I see none. testing to reset.

This happens to me often. This forum software is on its last legs. Someone is going to need to invest in a big upgrade unless they dump all of the historical posts and start fresh (which would be crazy).

[Jebby14]

wouldn't go less. 200 would be better (or at least a better charge controller so you can add another 100 watt later but for what I paid im happy especially since all the connectors and cables happened to follow me home

[185EZ]

Keep talking.
I have the small factory solar panel that doesn't do anything.
Just looking for a panel to help out on weekend boondocking.
Is 100 watt the minimum?
It doesn't have to fully charge the two 6 volt batteries but just give them a boost during the day to make it through a night

[Jebby14]

no coleman from Costco. 100 watt panel with a basic 8.5A charge controller and a little inverter that has been repurposed for the wife's explorer doing mini van duties. $150 Canadian. Nothing fancy and the controller is limited but I made a 15' cable and some quick connects, housed the controller at the panel in a plastic box and now I have a portable 100w panel that can follow the sun since we typically camp in shady areas. did its job as advertised.

[FLY_4_FUN]

Is yours the 100W NOMA solar kit from Canadian Tire?

[dave17352]

Solar is cool! I like it a lot.

[Jebby14]

strange, the forum is saying 3 replies but I see none. testing to reset.

[TomG2]

Thanks. Welcome to the world of solar. Doesn't cost a fortune or require an electrical engineering degree to get some real benefit.

[Lwiddis]

WindayNation 100 watt panels are $99.00 US and not cheaply made.

https://www.windynation.com/Polycrystalline-Solar-Panels/Windy-Nation-Inc/100-Watt-12-Volt-Polycrystalline-Photovoltaic-Solar-Panel-Off-Grid-RV-Boat/-/317?p=YzE9NDU=